Zodiac G3 Automatic Suction-Side Pool Cleaner Vacuum for In-ground Pools

I've used 5 different automatic pool cleaners in 22 years and this is the best vacuum for my use by far. It's inexpensive, never gets stuck, climbs the sides, rarely gets clogged, has only one moving part and cleans excellent. I've tried the Zodiac MX-8 and it works really well but it's more expensive than the Barracuda and started having problems after one year because of my sheading gritty pebble tech finish damaging the gear train (not the MX-8s problem but something to consider if your pool has a lot of grit). I also tried the navigator but it doesn't climb the walls and got stuck often. I also tried a Zodiac Barracuda copy for about 1/2 the Barracuda's price but it didn't perform as well and fell apart in about a year. The worst automatic cleaner i've tried by far is the Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 pressure side cleaner. The hose connections with o-rings are terrible wasting much of the pool pump's operating pressure , the hose mounted "reverser" with cheap plastic gear train gets damaged by grit in no time causing the cleaner to get stuck constantly, the leaf bag seems like an after thought and it was almost $500. It doesn't clean the sides and barely cleans the bottom with it's very narrow path compared to almost a 2' cleaning path of the Zodiac Barracuda G3 that picks up EVERYTHING! The Polaris 360 got stuck for who knows how long actually wearing places in my pool finish from the wheels spinning in one spot and i was constantly messing with it. I tried to sell this almost new Polaris 360 in a yard sale and couldn't even get $50 for a $500 cleaner so i threw it in the trash. THAT'S THE WORST $500 I've ever spent in my life. If you need a cleaner you won't be disappointed in the Zodiac Barracuda G3 or the MX-8 if your pool finish is smooth without grit.

Have owned a pool for over 20 years but never had an auto vacuum. Didnt want an entry level vac, so I went with the mid-priced, but well established Barracuda model. Used for a week now and my pool has never been cleaner. Works very well and never gets caught up on stuff either. Impressed so far... a few observations however > worked better after I added a extra weight near the head (only comes with one weight/needs two) > play with the hose length to see what works best... adding or removing a hose unit will chance the characteristics of the pattern it will follow. What works best? try different lengths... > terrible instructions in box... go online for real manual and WATCH a few youtube vids on the product... OVERALL. a good unit that is working very well in my pool. Hope its lasts for years...

I'd had a Hayward Blu suction vac since 2019 and had done a few rounds of overhaul on the thing, replacing worn out parts. This season it steadily gave up the ghost and so I replaced it with this - which is way more powerful and does a much better job than the Blu had done in years. Easy to assemble and set up on the dedicated suction line, too. Very happy so far.

I am so happy with this purchase. I have a new pool, a newborn and a 4 yr old so I don’t have time to spend vacuuming the pool. This takes about 5 min to set up once you are used to it. I just let it go for about 3-4 hours and I have a clean pool! Really glad I bought this, don’t know why anyone would vacuum a pool manually when a product like this is available!

excellent product for pool cleaning!